In 1999, Christopher Stager introduced CRStager marketing & audience development to help orchestras, opera companies and performing arts presenters focus their marketing challenges around the specific contour of their community, rather than presumed industry audience trends. In close collaboration with each client, the institution's specific values and its market potential are defined. Marketing plans are developed to communicate those values and build the base of active ticket buyers.

This "values-based" philosophy has had positive results for institutions throughout the nation. As the most trusted name in providing marketing and creative services to the nation's orchestras, CRStager has built audiences for Baltimore Symphony, The Boston Pops, The Cleveland Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Knoxville Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, Saint Louis Symphony and numerous others. CRStager marketing also created the marketing plan and built the audience for all four years (2011-1014) for Spring For Music at Carnegie Hall. We have provided creative materials to these organizations, as well as to New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and others. In virtually every case, clients have experienced significant, sustainable audience growth.